Mlungisi 'Professor' Ngubane, who wore jersey number 10 for Durban Bush Bucks in his heyday, has responded to Jomo Sono's comments about Patrick Maswanganyi.
Sono, himself regarded as one of the greatest to have graced local soccer fields, recently told the media, during the announcement of Jomo Cosmos' new sponsorship partnership with Lucas Batteries, that being compared to the youngsters was like comparing an elephant with an ant.
Guessing is not allowed.
At Pirates, the number 10 jersey has been retired in honor of the club's former playmaker, but some fans have demanded it be handed over to Maswanganyi, the club's new poster boy.
Ngubane, who played during the Sono era, says no Bucs player has been able to emulate the 'Black Prince'.
The people who say the number 10 should be given to Tito have never seen Jomo play," says Ngubane.
Tito is a good player, but he is nowhere near Mjomana. He can't be compared with Mjomana.
'Mjomana brought excitement to every game he played. Pirates still don't have a jersey number 10. When he had the ball, he would cause trouble.
It was Mjomana's step-overs that scared defenses. Sometimes three defenders would be assigned to him, but he still dribbled them all and found his way out," he said.
'Prof' continues to comment on the difference between Maswanganyi's game and Sono's back then.
When you tried to fight Mjomana, he just laughed at you. They should forget about replacing him.
There are a lot of players like Maswanganyi, but Jomo was exceptional.
In the case of Relebohile Mofokeng, what this teenager is doing is not normal. Just like Mjomana, who, at the age of 17, was already dribbling [Herman] 'Pele' Blaschke.
Despite Maswanganyi's talent, Mofokeng is gifted. He cannot claim to have learned to play football from a coach.
But no one has been able to play like Mjomana. I used to wear jersey number 10, so I understand," says the former Maritzburg United coach.
In closing, Ngubane was asked what qualities a player wearing the iconic jersey number should possess.
As a number 10, you win games for your team by creating something out of nothing.
So Maswanganyi is not extraordinary, though he is talented. But Mofokeng is extraordinary, he is gifted.
